Dying in Delhi ain't cheap.  


My maid's suicidal husband finally passed away last night, succumbing to his hideous burns.  His family, for some reason, put in an appearance only once they got the news of his passing.  Since the body was badly mutilated, we suggested that the boy be buried in Delhi (his family's based in a remote village in Punjab, on the Indo-Pak border), and tried to arrange for a decent coffin.

It's shocking to find out that a coffin costs around Rs. 8000, even for a below-poverty line denizen like the dead man.  To think that I can get a large-sized shelf made from teak wood for that sort of money.  A shelf definitely takes up a lot more wood than a coffin.

And, yes, Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Anonymous from 2 posts back, I am callous and cold, just in case you have any doubts. But that doesn't mean i don't give it a thought.

7 Scallywags have walked the Plank |:

Rassles said...

Well that's just fucked up. And yeah. Caskets are expensive.

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to imagine a)someone living in my garage and b)the person living in my garage setting themselves on fire. But if he wanted a drink that bad, he was killing himself anyhow. (She said as she sipped her beer.)I do feel badly for the widow.

On the other hand, you gotta have bookshelves. Otherwise you just stub your toe on the ones stacked up on the floor. Have you ever had someone come into your house and say "Gosh, have you read all those books?" They're usually not invited back a second time.

Mister Crowley said...

Rass: Man, you don't know the half of it...

Frankie: Ditto on the widow. Sad, especially since she's only 22.
I get that "have you read all those books" line all the time. Unfortunately, I usually get it at work, and hence the question of re-inviting people doesn't arise. I also get it at home, from my parents, and since I can't exactly not re-invite them either (since they live there), ha ha.

chitgo said...

Hasn't dying been hit by the crisis yet? Guess its a catch 22 - the economy's killing everyone anyway.

you're b-rolled btw..i gotta start setting up a damn RSS.

Sirop said...

Ohkay then!

Anonymous said...

First of all you have to be seriously fucked up to set yourself on fire. He was doomed to go one way or the other. And I'm going to sound like such a heartless bitch when I say this, but as devastated as the young woman may be now, a full life with someone that destructive would have been worse.
It's a sad cold world we live in when people are swindled out of small fortunes to bury their loved ones just cause companies know they can. It isn't like this is a luxury you can do without.
Like everyone else, I wanta see the bookshelf!

The Dingbat said...

I'd rather he had the money to drink - the money that will no go into burying him!